Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has explained Noni Madueke's absence from his matchday squad to face Morecambe in the FA Cup third round. The Blues went into the game

Madueke was left out of Chelsea ’s squad as Maresca’s side hammered the League Two strugglers 5-0 to reach the Fourth Round. Maresca had not reported any fitness issue for Madueke ahead of kick-off and his absence raised eyebrows, coming after he had been dropped for last month’s defeat to Fulham in what his manager called a “technical decision”.

But it is Chelsea’s lack of control during matches that is providing a test for him now. The 2-0 defeat at Ipswich Town means Chelsea have lost successive games for the first time under Maresca. They have failed to score in successive away games too and ended 2024 picking up just one point from their final three league matches.